What a Party!: My Life Among Democrats: Presidents, Candidates, Donors, Activists, Alligators and Other Wild Animals

I read this book in 24 hours and found it equal parts insightful and inspirational. Terry keeps it light, but the book is full of interesting anecdotes and helpful advice. Its a quick read only because its full of engrossing, entertaining stories. Disclaimer: I came to know Terry while working for John Kerry during the 2004 campaign and what I like most about this book is it matches its author. Terry is energetic, irreverent, and talented, but above all a class act who is capable of working at the highest levels of democratic politics while never forgetting foot soldiers on his staff and people who he was trying to help. So, its fair to say I was predisposed to like the book anyway, but I didn't expect learn as much from it or enjoy it nearly as much as I did.

Does a political book get any better than this one? I don't think so. This is one of the finest books on politics you can ever hope to read. It's entertaining and insightful on every subject it touches. This is coming from a reader who is usually on the other side of the political arena. McAuliffe's personality was absolutely captured in this book. His contagious commitment to his party, and the people he was loyal to is evident throughout every page. Is the book honest; does it give the unvarnished truth about what happened during the times and events that McAuliffe is writing about? Of course not, nor would you expect it to. When you read this book, you are looking for an understanding of what it was like for the dominant financial fundraiser of the Democratic Party of his generation to do what he did. From that perspective, it just doesn't get any better than McAuliffe's book. It is not a short book either. It is close to 400 pages done with a moderate size font, but in those pages, the man demonstrates a joy for life, and it's a life on a big scale. He knows the movers and the shakers, the real guys and the pretend guys. It's all here, and for the reader you get the inside scoop on life at the top of one of the two major political parties in our land. Talk about bias though. McAuliffe does sometimes speak about history and events as though he's the only one who's got the story straight. He also tends to think of the Democrats as being pure as the driven snow, and the Republicans as though they are in bed with the devil. Only partisans live that nonsense. The author has to be forgiven for his partisanship because he has so much invested in the GAME. You are not reading the book to learn about history. You are living this man's life in these 400 pages, and it feels very real. Some of the fabulous stories you will read in this book include: · How's he's trying to get a couple of hundred grand out of a guy by inviting him to a party. He tells him Sammy Davis Jr. is coming and will be singing, even though Davis had been dead 10 years. · He goes to a guy in California to get a million bucks and the guy brings his friend who is dressed like a bum. The bum takes out a wrinkled check, has holes in his t-shirt, and writes a check for a million also. · The stories on Lew Wasserman, the man who ran Hollywood for decades are priceless. McAuliffe asks Wasserman how his desk could be absolutely clean, not a piece of paper on it. Wasserman tells him, "If I get a piece of paper here, I either throw it out or act on it. I don't let anything sit." What a priceless piece of advice to the rest of us. · A fundraiser is brought to meet former Vice President Mondale in 1984. The fundraiser happens to be gay unbeknownst to Mondale. He tells the VP, there's something I need to tell you. "I've come out of the closet." After the man leaves, Mondale ask in a serious voice, "What was he doing in my closet."? · The stories on Tip O'Neill are nothing short

If you're a loyal Republican (and I'm anything but) you'll probably want to read the first few pages of "What a Party!"...up to the point where Terry McAuliffe starts his McAuliffe Driveway Maintenance business at the age of sixteen. You'll get the idea that Terry works hard and thinks big. Beyond that point, however, watch out! This book is one big delightfully funny partisan romp from the Carter years through Bush 43. Along the way, McAuliffe raises tons of money for the Democrats, becomes close to the Clintons, butts heads with more than a few, knocks back a few cold ones from time to time and tells some of the best stories from the political world. Terry McAuliffe is a self-described "Irish storyteller" and if you like Democrats, you'll love this book. "What a Party!" has such a frenetic pace to it that you might get a little winded just trying to keep up with Terry McAuliffe. If he's not on a plane somewhere he's on the phone raising funds, arranging loans, allocating monies...and all the while seeming to have a great time doing it. You get the feeling that if someone accused McAuliffe of being self-promotional he'd take that as a huge compliment. What makes this book intriguing as well is that McAuliffe takes you behind the scenes of what campaigns are like and into the White House for that rare glimpse of personal time spent with Bill and Hillary Clinton. You could describe the author as the most partisan of partisans and that would be not only an apt reflection but a necessary one, given his job as DNC chairman. It's really the stories, though, that make this book shine. There's always a smile that comes to my face when I read the name Zell Miller and Terry McAuliffe doesn't disappoint here! When the author is welcomed back to the White House by Bush 43, then told by the president not to steal the silverware, the possible retorts sent in by Washington Post readers are hilarious! "What a Party!" is indeed a party. Terry McAuliffe may have to present a colder, more calculating side to his business life, but underneath you get a sense of his being a warm family man, happy to share his experiences with us. I highly recommend his book.

I've known Terry McAuliffe for almost 20 years. I've worked with him, fought alongside him -- hell, our boys play on the same basketball team. But this book told me a lot about Terry I didn't know. And (I'm embarrassed to say) a lot about politics as well. Terry didn't just kiss the Blarney Stone, he chewed it up, swallowed it and made it part of every fiber of his being. But more than an Irishman's gift of gab, this book is filled with insights into politics, including the answer to the toughest question: Why would a guy worth millions, with a gorgeous wife and five great kids, spend so much time helping Democrats win elections? Because he's never forgotten that the Democratic Party is the party of the people, the party of the American Dream, the party of the forgotten middle class. And all of us who have climbed from immigrant roots to the top can only justify our rise by helping the next bunch of folks climb as far as they can. No one would begrudge McAuliffe if he'd retreated into his wealth, golfing with tycoons at exclusive country clubs. Instead, he's used all the blessings of liberty he's been given to widen the winner's circle, deepen the meaning of freedom, and broaden the American Dream for everyone. If you want to tell your neighbors why you're a Democrat, or if you've ever wondered what we Clinton Democrats stand for, this book is a must-read. I don't review a lot of books. And Terry has no idea I've written this. But unlike most Washington phonies, I've actually read this book, and so I recommend it wholeheartedly. Paul Begala

I went to hear TMcA read in NYC last night... what a blast! He is the quintessential Irish pol (by way of upstate New York who has, curiously, picked up an occasional Southern accent). At any rate, the place was packed and McAuliffe had them rolling in the aisles. He is a true believer who practically makes you want to quit your job to join a (preferrably Democratic) campaign. I stayed up until 1:00am and finished his book. A great ride, a great read. McAuliffe has been in many powerful rooms, and is not afraid to tell us how the game is played. Fascinating stuff. What a life this man has had... I finished reading it and thought: the Clintons aside, anyone would be fortunate to have such a great friend as him. Really -- a terrific book.